Student spotlight

At the 2014 Gala, Ben Lopez shared the impact of scholarships and this community has had on his life. Moved by the selflessness of those who helped him and the generosity of the Saint Martin's community, Ben has decided to pursue a career in higher education.

"Scholarships are more than just funding for an education. They are tools of empowerment, foundations of support, and opportunities for students to develop into the people [they] truly desire to be. I never could have imagined that my college career would be so amazing and impact my life the way it has here at Saint Martin’s.

"The Saint Martin’s community enabled me to break out of my shell and empowered me to be the genuine version of myself. Words cannot express how grateful I am for what they have done for me. All I can say is thank you SO MUCH."- Ben Lopez

It's about the students!

Gala receipts benefit SMU scholarship funds

The Saint Martin’s Gala is a celebration of hospitality and
community. It's a time to see old friends, renew acquaintances,
savor delicious food and wine, and be entertained. But the
primary reason for our gathering is to support our students
educational journey through the advancement of scholarship
funds.

Scholarships are vital! They make it possible for hundreds of
students to attend Saint Martin’s every year. In this difficult
economy, as a college education grows increasingly out of reach
for ever more students and their families, scholarships help
make a degree from Saint Martin’s a reality for many. But, a
Saint Martin’s education is much more than a college diploma. It
is a unique experience that prepares individuals to take on
personal and professional challenges of the 21st century,
equipped with a set of ethics rooted in our Benedictine values.

Financial aid facts

94 percent of all full-time undergraduate students receive financial aid.

In 2013-2014 Saint Martin’s awarded $15 million in student scholarships including grants, including individual and corporate donor-funded scholarships, and the Gala Feed-a-Mind scholarships.

As a result, the Saint Martin’s student body
represents a rich diversity that distinguishes our
campus from many others across the nation. More than
one-third of our students come from underrepresented
populations, including first-generation college students
as well individuals from low-income families and
ethnically diverse backgrounds. Our University is one
where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.